Lerdsila's Muay Thai Magic Powers Him To Victory In Battle With 'Momotaro'

Lerdsila Phuket Top Team showcased the skill set that made him a Thai legend in a back-and-forth battle with Kohei “Momotaro” Kodera at ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR.

In a ONE Super Series flyweight Muay Thai contest on Friday, 12 April, the 38-year-old used his decades of experience to pick apart and subdue his younger rival to claim a unanimous decision victory at in Manila, Philippines.

It was “Momotaro” who initiated the offense in the first round at the Mall Of Asia Arena as he threw push and round kicks at his opponent. He used lots of movement to try to outhustle the Phuket Top Team representative, and darted into range with straight punches.

However, it did not take long for Lerdsila to get into his rhythm. Whenever the Japanese athlete came too close, he was swept or elbowed from the clinch. Kodera struggled to find his flow as the man they call “Mr. Lightning” evaded his strikes and countered.

“Momotaro” began the second round by returning to his boxing combinations. He took aim with an accurate jab, and followed it up with a straight left when he saw an opening.

The karate black belt also diversified his attack in search of a decisive blow, and he expertly timed a spinning back fist to catch Lerdsila when he returned to an upright stance after he leaned back to avoid a kick.

Still, Kodera’s array of strikes could not find a clean way through the Thai’s defenses, who sent his rival crashing onto the canvas with a powerful low kick, and landed hard elbows when the competitors entered the clinch.

The onus was on Kodera to make something happen in the third period after two composed rounds from the multiple-time World Champion. His best shot of the round was a counter right hand after he caught one of Lerdsila’s kicks, but it was not enough.

The Thai was a step ahead in every exchange as he used sweeps, elbows, and precise punches to temper the threat of his 28-year-old rival. As “Momotaro” tried to up the ante, his eagerness put him in danger, and he had to repeatedly pick himself up off the canvas after he was dumped.

The judges all gave the nod to Lerdsila on their scorecards to give him a unanimous decision at the end of the match and maintain his perfect 3-0 record in ONE Super Series.

He also extended his overall record an incredible 189-31-5.